Unlike UFC CEO Dana White, Jon Jones had a very different take on his pound-for-pound placement in the UFC official rankings.
Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC), considered by most as the greatest fighter in MMA history, was put as No. 2 on the UFC pound-for-pound rankings following his successful title defense at Saturday’s UFC 309. Jones, who defended his UFC heavyweight title by stopping Stipe Miocic, was happy with his rankings – especially considering he’s the oldest fighter on the list. It’s a stance that differs from White, who believes Jones should be the clear No. 1.
“Being ranked number 2 pound per pound at 37 years old, I’m happy with that,” Jones wrote on X on Tuesday.
Being ranked number 2 pound per pound at 37 years old, I’m happy with that. ☀️
— BONY (@JonnyBones) November 19, 2024
Jones is seen by many as undefeated in MMA, given his only loss was a disqualification due to an elbow strike that has now been made legal. After dominating the UFC light heavyweight division for years, Jones took a three-year break from the sport to return as a heavyweight and win the title vacated by Francis Ngannou in early 2023.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is the only fighter ranked above Jones at ranked No. 1. The rankings are composed of an independent panel that updates them after every UFC event.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.